Leadership Link: Keller Connection

Joe shares insights from his SD credit union visits, highlighting member impact, the importance of engagement, ongoing TruStage updates, and the need for strong continuity planning.

As I travel across South Dakota this week visiting credit unions, I’m continually reminded of how fortunate we are to work in a movement that makes a genuine difference in people’s lives.

Every day, credit unions help people achieve their goals and dreams—whether that means purchasing a first home, starting a business, buying a dependable vehicle, saving for the future, or simply finding financial stability during a difficult time. I’ve seen that commitment firsthand during my visits with many of you. Thank you for everything you do to keep the American dream alive and well in communities throughout the Dakotas.

One topic that continues to come up during my visits is engagement and how we can do a better job of engaging in all areas. Engagement takes many forms. It includes DakCU staff visiting your credit unions, credit union leaders participating in association programs and events, and all of us building stronger relationships with legislators, regulators, and community partners.

We have begun developing engagement reports for every credit union. These reports will help us better understand how DakCU is currently engaging with each member and, most importantly, identify opportunities for us to become more engaged in the future. Increased engagement will provide DakCU with a valuable roadmap as we plan for the future of your association and determine how we can better serve your credit union. We are still developing these reports, and there will be much more to share in the months ahead.

​On another important note, we continue to hear your concerns regarding TruStage. We are in regular contact with their team, but unfortunately, we do not have a significant update to share at this time. We will continue communicating with them and will keep you informed as soon as we receive meaningful new information.

One lesson for all of us is the importance of strong business continuity and crisis-response planning. In today’s environment, a serious disruption is not a matter of if, but when. Every organization should have a practical, up-to-date plan in place so its team knows how to respond, communicate, and continue serving members when an incident occurs.

For now, I’m back in the car and headed to a South Dakota credit union near you. I look forward to continuing the conversations, listening to your ideas, and learning how DakCU can better support you.

​Joe Keller
​DakCU President & CEO